Return to halls | University of Reading

Return to halls for 2026/27 – applications are not yet open

The opening date for returner applications is not yet confirmed, but keep an eye on this page and your email for updates on how to secure your room with us for next year - we wouldn’t want you to miss out!

Please be aware that applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis and that while we try to keep the Portal up to date, the rooms displayed on the portal do not necessarily reflect actual availability but provides us with an indication of your preferred choices. Please add any specific requests or relevant information to ‘further notes’ section at the end of the application.

If you are looking for a room available immediately, please go to our Available Rooms webpage.

Returning to halls is a popular choice among University of Reading students – in fact it is so popular we currently have over 1,000 returners living in halls! There are loads of reasons to consider returning to halls next year:

Fixed prices - all of our rents are inclusive so there are no unexpected bills to pay. Includes high-speed WIFI, regular communal area cleaning and free basic contents insurance.
Group bookings - apply for an individual room or as a group and live with friends.
Wide range of room types - including Quieter Lifestyle rooms
40 and 51 week licences available - Stay over Summer with 51 week licences; lower weekly room rate on select room types.
24/7 support - 24/7 access to the Halls Hotline and the Home at Halls app to deal with any halls related issues.
Resident Events with Home at Halls - exclusive resident access to the exciting program of free events run by Home at Halls.
Great locations on campus - all accommodation is located either on the Whiteknights campus or within a 15-minute walk.
Safe and secure - your accommodation is monitored by 24/7 CCTV and regular security patrols.

We’d love to welcome you back to halls in September 2026!

Please add any specific requests or relevant information to the 'further notes' section at the end of the application. For any urgent queries, please contact the Accommodation Office via accommodationonline@reading.ac.uk.

Application process

How to apply

During the application process it is very important you pay close attention to your emails to ensure you meet all deadlines. All deadlines are final and non-moveable. It’s also worth keeping an eye on your junk email folder in case the emails inadvertently get directed there.

Go to the RISIS web portal
Click ‘Actions’ from the top menu
Select ‘Accommodation’ from the drop-down list
Click on the link ‘Connect to Accommodation Online’ to take you to the Returner Individual application form

Can I stay in my current room?
It will be unlikely you stay in your current room. You should be prepared to move to a new room if you are made a new offer of accommodation for next academic year.
For students currently with a 51-week contract, if you would like to book the same room for next year, please let us know in the free text comments in your application.

Will I get my first preference for a room?
We try our hardest to allocate rooms to students based on their first preference; however, this is not always possible. That’s why we ask you to pick a minimum of five choices with the more choices you make, the better we’re able to meet your requirements.

If you are not satisfied with your accommodation offer, please discuss this with the Accommodation Office first, before rejecting your offer.

What if I have special requirements?

Students registered with the DAS team who require a room in halls for the next academic year should apply between the same dates.

What if I am coming back as a Postgraduate student and am currently an Undergraduate?

If you are currently studying as an Undergraduate but would like to apply for accommodation for your new Postgraduate course, then please apply for accommodation via the ‘New Postgraduate’ pathway, not the returner pathway. The Accommodation Guarantee will apply to you as you are a ‘new postgraduate’. Visit our dedicated page on applying for university accommodation for more information.

Student Type	Advice	Application
Student Type	Advice	Returner	New Student
DAS	Please state within the notes section your requirements and that you are registered with DAS.	✔
Study Abroad/ Erasmus	Please apply as normal and state within the notes section you are considering applying to Study Abroad. If you accept a full year Study Abroad, you may cancel before 31st July. You will be required to provide evidence of this from Study Abroad. If you are coming to Reading as a Study Abroad or Erasmus student for one term only, you should apply as a new student using the Study Abroad pathway.	✔
Placement	Please apply as normal and state within the notes section you are considering applying for a Placement. If you accept a full year Placement, you may cancel before 31st July. You will be required to provide evidence of this from your Placement Coordinator.	✔

Am I eligible to apply for a returners place in halls?

You’re eligible to apply for a returners place in halls if:

You’re a full-time University of Reading student continuing your course in academic year 2025-26
You have no outstanding halls-related debt
You have not been subject to a halls-related disciplinary sanction.

Can I apply for family accommodation?

For September 2026 arrivals, we will be opening our applications for family accommodation room types in the new year. Students will receive information to confirm when this will open.

Accommodation suitable for families is very limited and therefore the majority are reserved for new families moving to Reading who are not able to seek accommodation in the private sector.

Students who require family accommodation for subsequent academic years will need to seek accommodation in the private sector (see our advice on private accommodation for further information).

How do I apply as part of a group?

Nominate one person from your group to be the ‘leader’; they need to log onto RISIS web portal first to create your group.

The leader should:

Go to the RISIS web portal.
Click ‘Actions’ from the top menu
Select ‘Accommodation’ from the drop-down list
Click on the link ‘Connect to Accommodation Online’ to take you to the Returner group application form.
Select ‘Create new group’ and this will generate a group reference number (make a note of this to share with the rest of your group) and you will be asked to create a name for your group (use your group reference number plus your leader’s full name)
Click ‘Continue’ then ‘complete’ and submit the application form

The leader must then share the group reference number with the rest of the group. Each group member (except the leader) must then:

Go to the RISIS web portal.
Click ‘Actions’ from the top menu
Select ‘Accommodation’ from the drop-down list
Click on the link ‘Connect to Accommodation Online’ to take you to the returner group application form.
Enter the group reference number that your group leader has given you and check the group name displayed is correct
Click ‘Continue’ then ‘complete’ and submit the application form

Group applications can be made with a maximum of 6 in a townhouse and 4 in a flat. Please do not exceed this as we will not be able to accommodate in fairness to others, we are unable to put 2 groups in the same flat or townhouse if requested.

You all need to apply on the same day at the same time; you must all be free from debt to the university.

Please ensure you all choose the same 5 preferences in order with the same contract lengths.

Depending on demand we are unable to guarantee that you will be able to live as a group but will endeavour to do so.

If someone in your group applies later in the process, as we offer on a 1st come 1st serve basis we cannot guarantee they will be allocated to live with the group.